THE SEA SERPENT OF 1903. (June 17, 1903)

Jun 17, 1903

THE BEA .BEB.ENT OF 1903.

The sea serpent of 1903 at last has put in its appearance. It was observed by truthful Capt. Bartlett of the good steam- er Tresco. When ninety miles south nf Cape 1 the captain noticed a pecu- liar disturbance in the distance and that

the disturbance, was headed his way. In a short time it arrived and turned out to be a great number of sharks tearing through the water " like all possessed " on their way towards shore. An hour afterwards Capt. Bartlett noticed a dark object in the distance, and, thinking it a derelict, steered for it. When a short distance from it the " derelict " slowly lifted itself above the water. Instantly the crew went below and barricaded the doors, and through the port- hole in the wheelhouse the captain saw the sea serpent. ` Half dragon and half serpent, it was the most hideous and loath- some reptile, with its gaping jaws and bloodshot eyes. From each side of its hor- rible mouth two large tusks protruded, sini- ilar to those of a walrus, and its lips were dripping with : saliva wh-hh emitted a most1 offensive smell." The cap- tain was not in a condition of mind to make accurate estimates of measurement, but he thinks the serpent was about 100 feet long. Fortunately, instead of making an attack "it turned tail, and, with a swish and a of the water, sank in the depths," probably much to the relief of

Now, this is a Bea serpent worth having. The veracious captain s statement shows it has not suffered " a sea change into something rich and ," but retains all its old horrible and terrifying aspects. It is no ordinary but a worthy of the serpent Regtltus aind his army made war on with catapults, nod of the monster Olanus 31 saw, w hich not only ate calves, sheep, and but also "disturbs ships, rising up like a and sometimes snaps men from the deek," or even of Fafnir, spurting and smoke from his cavern. The sea ser- petit has been an time put- ting it an appearance, but better late than never. For what should we (1o in these days of strikes, and floods, and cyclones, adl , and droughts, and fires, and barbaric regicides had we not our old friend the sea serpent for pleasurable en- ?